After 10 months of brutal fighting, Russian forces have seized the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. But what comes next for Russia is unclear. Analysts say Moscow’s exhausted forces will settle into a defensive crouch, preparing for Ukraine’s counteroffensive. Both sides have suffered thousands of casualties and expended significant resources in the battle for the city. Ukraine is now training new formations, armed and equipped by the West, and is expected to launch a broader counteroffensive. Russia has dug an intricate network of primary and secondary trench lines and minefields to thwart any Ukrainian advance. Ukraine has also made small gains to the north and south of Bakhmut, putting their forces in a better position to prevent Russian troops from advancing further. The aftershocks of the battle for Bakhmut are not yet fully known, both in terms of overall casualties on both sides or how much equipment or ammunition was lost or destroyed. The fight for Bakhmut has since claimed thousands more casualties.
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